Grapple.



No. 795,089. PATENTED JULY 18, 1905.

'1). AUER.

GRAPPLE.

APPLIGATION FILED APR. 19.1905.

Main n mmumnmmmmmmm wummounc STATES Patented July 18, 1905.

DAVID AUER, OF MILAN, MISSOURI.

GRAPPLE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 795,089, dated July 18, 1905.

Application filed. April 19, 1905. Serial No. 256,344.

To all w/wm it may concern:

Be it known that I, DAVID AUER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Milan, in the county of Sullivan and State of Missouri, have invented new and useful Improvements in Grapples, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to grapples; and it consists of certain novel features of construction hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention is more particularly designed for anchoring a snatch-block used for hauling an overturned or derailed railway-car back on the track.

The object of the invention is to provide an implement of this kind which will securely grip the rail and which can be readily applied at any point on the rail.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation, and Fig. 2 a top plan view, of the invention. Fig. 3 is a front end view.

Referring specifically to the drawings, the grapple comprises two members 5 and 6, respectively, which are connected by a pivot or hinge 7. These two members have a substantially semicircular form and at their free ends each has a shank 8. At their outer ends the shanks are formed with jaws to grasp the rails, said aws being recessed, as at 9, in which the head of the rail 10 fits. The portions 1 1 below the recesses are constructed to grip the web of the rail. The aws are clamped on the rail by a link 12, which has a portion large to accommodate a number of such, if

necessary.

The device is simple and strong and can be readily applied at any point on a rail, and it is reliable and efiicient in'operation. The jaws are applied to and detached from the rail by opening them, which can be readily done by removing the link 12.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed as new, and desired to be secured by Letters Patent, is

A grapple comprising two members which are pivotally connected; shanks extending from the free ends of said members, and provided with gripping-jaws; a link having a tapering portion extending around the 1shanks; and hauling means secured to the in i.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

DAVID AUER.

Witnesses:

J. M. WATTENBURGER, F. S. LEAOH. 

